RVVC Workstreams 1 and 2
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimisation of diagnosis of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) to influence appropriate treatment (Workstreams 1 and 2)
IRAS ID
354608
Contact name
Claire Berry
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
An infection of the female genital tract caused by yeast is called thrush. Women who have four or more episodes of thrush a year, are said to have recurrent thrush.
Recurrent thrush affects millions of women a year. Although not a dangerous or life-threatening infection, it can have a significant impact on the quality of life of these women as it can be uncomfortable, sore, and very itchy. Treatment is available without prescriptions, and women often self-treat without seeing their doctor. This treatment often stops working or the benefit is short-lived. There are other conditions with similar symptoms but not caused by yeasts. It is also common for women of reproductive age to carry yeasts without any symptoms, and laboratory results confirming the presence of yeasts can be misleading.The first part of this project will look to see how women tested for thrush in Leeds over the past five years were treated and the impact the laboratory test results had on their care. What were their test results, did they get any/the right medicine, and did they get better? If they didn’t have thrush, what did they have?
I will use my findings from this project to design a trial to see if it improves the outcome for people with or without thrush.
I have asked a group of people, some who suffer from recurrent thrush, doctors, and pharmacists if they think this is a good research question. They have helped focus the question, confirmed its importance, and helped with this lay summary. I will continue asking them what they think when I have answers to some of the research questions, and how I can best tell other people about my research and make sure my findings reach the right people.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/YH/0072
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion